LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) released a white paper entitled Access and Equity in Online Classes and Virtual Schools at their Virtual School Symposium (VSS) today.
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Online education is one of the fastest growing phenomena in K-12 education in the United States today. More than half of the states currently have some form of state-run virtual school, with additional state programs in the planning stage. Nineteen states have full-time virtual schools. Additionally, more than one-third of school districts have online education programs or make virtual courses offered by other providers available to students to address individual student needs. Michigan is the first state to require an online learning experience as a prerequisite to high school graduation, beginning with the graduating class of 2010.
As with many innovations in education, there's the perception that the innovation has a limited audience. These beliefs influence both program design and which students are given access to the program, especially since resources are generally limited in the early stages of new programs. Access and Equity in Online Classes and Virtual Schools suggests that online education is needed and appropriate for students of all grade levels, abilities and regions.
About VSS
NACOL is hosting the annual Virtual School Symposium (VSS) runs Nov. 4 - 6, 2007 in Louisville, KY. It is the leading K-12 online learning events with 750+ attendees. VSS brings together national, state, district, private and virtual school program experts to learn about latest trends, challenges and opportunities in e-learning and gain access to the latest research.
About NACOL
The North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL), is the leading organization for advocacy, research, professional development and leadership in K-12 online learning. NACOL's mission is to provide advocacy, expertise, professional development and research for quality K-12 online learning. Visit http://www.nacol.org/ for more information.
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North American Council for Online Learning
